Sen. Ruth Ward

Maddy summaryHB 1202 sets funding limits for high school students taking college courses through New Hampshire's community college system. It restricts state-funded enrollment to a maximum of four dual or concurrent enrollment courses per grade (10th, 11th, and 12th), with each funded course limited to four credits. Students may take additional courses beyond these limits at their own expense. The bill amends existing law to implement these requirements, directly affecting high school students enrolled in such programs within the state's community college system.

Maddy summaryHB 1836 requires New Hampshire public schools and districts to submit annual input-based accountability reports by January 15 of even-numbered years. The bill mandates that school principals and superintendents certify the accuracy of these reports, and the state education commissioner must verify compliance before releasing grant funds. Schools failing to submit the required reports will have grant funds withheld until they comply. This replaces a previous requirement for NEASC-certified schools to file separate reports. The bill takes effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryHB 1788 prohibits state agencies and public schools from entering contracts with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) requirements, such as mandating DEI programs, training, or reporting. It defines DEI as initiatives classifying individuals by certain characteristics to achieve demographic outcomes (excluding health services, ADA compliance, and student organizations), making any contract violating this automatically void. Taxpayers could then sue public entities for entering such contracts, seeking court orders to cancel the contracts and recover legal fees. The bill applies to all state contracts and public school agreements, directly affecting government entities and their contractors.

Maddy summaryHB 1706 repeals New Hampshire's state-administered refugee resettlement program and prohibits state agencies from using state funds for refugee resettlement activities. The bill specifically requires the Department of Health and Human Services to terminate existing contracts related to refugee resettlement (such as the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program) and bans all state spending - directly or indirectly - on resettlement efforts. It does not affect federal refugee programs or funds, as the state's involvement was limited to administering approximately $4.5 million annually in federal funds. The bill applies solely to state government actions and has no impact on existing refugee services or federal programs.

Maddy summaryHB 349 authorizes licensed optometrists who meet specific board-certification criteria to perform three eye laser procedures: laser capsulotomy, laser trabeculoplasty, and laser peripheral iridotomy. It directly affects optometrists seeking to expand their scope of practice, requiring them to complete approved education, training, and experience before performing these procedures. The bill mandates the Board of Registration in Optometry to establish rules for certification, including minimum training standards, proctoring requirements, and outcome reporting for these procedures. The law takes effect 60 days after passage, with no new state funding provided.

Maddy summarySB 521 prohibits unauthorized camping on private property in New Hampshire municipalities with over 10,000 residents. It requires campers to have either written permission from the property owner or the owner's continuous presence on-site to legally camp. Violations are punishable as misdemeanors, with offenders liable for property damage costs. The law applies to tents, camping devices, and sleeping on the ground, excluding regulated campgrounds. It takes effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1379 changes the annual deadline for publishing special education complaint data reports from July 1st to September 1st, starting in 2026. This bill directly affects the New Hampshire Department of Education, which is required to publish the annual report on its website and share it with the Office of Special Education Advocate, the State Advisory Council, and education committee chairs. The key change modifies the reporting date in RSA 186-C:5-a, III without altering the report's content or scope. The bill takes effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryHB 1370 removes a requirement for New Hampshire public schools to report to the Department of Education if they lack policies for identifying and accommodating gifted and talented students. The bill amends RSA 189:29-b to eliminate the specific language (now in brackets) that previously forced schools to state "if no such policies exist" in their annual reports. Instead, schools must now only submit an annual narrative report detailing their existing policies, programs, and procedures for gifted students starting in the 2026-2027 school year. This change simplifies reporting for schools that do not have dedicated gifted education programs, while maintaining the requirement for those that do. The bill directly affects all public schools in New Hampshire and the Department of Education.

Maddy summaryHB 1152 designates all donations and bequests received by New Hampshire's Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services as non-lapsing funds. This means these funds will automatically carry over year-to-year without expiring, rather than requiring annual reappropriation. The bill directly affects the department’s ability to manage and use donor contributions for military/veteran programs without needing new budget approvals each year. It clarifies existing law (RSA 110-B:1, III) to ensure continuous funding for veteran support initiatives. The bill was requested by the department itself and will take effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 659 defines what constitutes an "adequate education" for New Hampshire public schools by listing 11 required subject areas, including English, math, science, civics, arts, health, physical education, and computer science. It establishes that the state must determine the cost of this defined education for each municipality based on student enrollment. The bill directly affects all public elementary and secondary schools in New Hampshire by setting mandatory curriculum standards for funding and accountability. It replaces previous definitions with specific, measurable learning areas that school districts must provide.